A recent report by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) revealed that a sightseeing helicopter crashed into the East River in New York City in 2018 due to a complex chain of events involving pilot error, inadequate safety equipment, and organizational failures. The helicopter, operated by Liberty Helicopters, was chartered for a doors-off photography flight, which is a known higher-risk activity.
The NTSB determined that the probable cause of the crash was the pilot’s unintentional activation of the engine fuel shutoff switch during a low-altitude maneuver. This led to engine failure and the subsequent water landing. Contributing to the severity of the accident were several factors. Passengers were secured with a multi-point harness system designed to prevent them from falling out of the open doorways. However, the passengers had difficulty releasing themselves from these harnesses underwater, as they had only received a brief safety briefing and were unfamiliar with the mechanism. Furthermore, the lack of readily available knives or other cutting tools for the passengers exacerbated the situation.
The report highlighted systemic safety deficiencies within Liberty Helicopters, including inadequate safety briefings, poorly designed harness systems for doors-off flights, and insufficient oversight of such flights. The NTSB also criticized the FAA for not requiring enhanced safety measures for doors-off helicopter tours, despite the inherent risks involved. The investigation ultimately led to recommendations for improved safety regulations and training for helicopter tour operators, particularly those conducting doors-off flights.
find the original article here: https://www.yahoo.com/news/report-shows-nyc-helicopter-breaking-202158529.html